M4S 056: Bug Out Bag Checklist – Top 10 Bug Out Bag Items

The ten items that are listed here, are in my opinion, the items that every bug out bag should have. With proper practice and training, everyone can do really well in difficult situations with just these items. Heck think of the show Alone and what the contestants achieve with just a few simple items. Remember though, I mentioned practice and training. As Vince Lombardi said, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.” So, practice, train, think and prepare yourself to not only use the gear you have but to use the gear you have to not only survive when the odds are stacked against you.

Once you pack your “Must Have” items, you should then pack the items that are “Must Haves” specific to your situation. Perhaps you have a medical condition that requires you to pack medications. Maybe you have children to think about so, you need to pack certain things for them. Basically, whatever you absolutely need to survive, goes in the bag next. Don’t forget to take your environment into account and preparing for problems that are specific to you and your situation.

With all of the foundation “Must Have” and Personal “Must Have” items packed, you can then pack gear that is “Nice to Have.” For example, now is when you pack the items that didn’t make the list such as a memory stick with important documents on it, a battery bank, solar charger, emergency radio, or even some candy.

This is the point where you personalize your bag to fit your needs and wants. Now, remember, when packing the “Nice to Have’s,” to not go overboard. Packing a library of books in your Bug Out Bag may sound good at the time, but won’t seem so great when your feet and back are screaming at you. It’s at this point, when packing the “Nice to Haves” that many people go crazy and their bug out bag skyrockets from a manageable weight, to something that a semi-truck is needed to haul around.

The “Nice to Have” items are also the items that you’ll put to the inclusion test when you’re out training with your bug out bag. The inclusion test is the mental yay, or nay that you give during or after training when you realize that something isn’t needed, so you can ditch it. If you find an item useful, you’ll keep it. If it doesn’t work like you thought, or you never use it, then you should consider dumping it to save on weight, or to make room for other more useful gear.